Offense: There's a lot to like about West Rusk's offense in 2017. Not only do the Raiders return eight offensive starters, most of them had starring roles last season.

Leading the way is quarterback LaJavius Harper, who emerged as a true dual-threat option behind center as a sophomore a year ago. Add running back Jaylon Garland, a 1,200-yard rusher, and receivers DJ Hart and Levi Hughes, and West Rusk has the potential to be explosive.

The Raiders averaged 36 points per game in 2016, and that number could on the rise moving forward with so much experienced talent coming back.

Defense: Just like the offense, West Rusk's defense returns eight starters. And none of them more dynamic than senior defensive lineman/linebacker Tyree Wilson.

Last season, Wilson, a Texas A&M pledge, did a little bit of everything. He made 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks, forced a pair of fumbles, and even came away with an interception.

Wilson will be joined with seasoned defensive playmakers like Garland, Hart, Diego Molina, Darius Richardson, and Darrien Johnson.

West Rusk should be more than capable of bringing down its opponents' scoring average of 26.2 points per game from a season ago.

2017 outlook: Elysian Fields and Arp each finished ahead of West Rusk in the district standings last season, but graduation has affected them at a higher rate than the Raiders.

West Rusk has the pieces necessary for a district championship, but it will come down to road games at Arp and EF when league plays rolls around.

It is vitally important to finish in the top two in 9-3A to avoid a potential first-round playoff matchup against either Newton or Crockett, who are both primed for long playoff runs this season.

Offense: Ordinarily, seven returning starters on offense won't be a cause for immediate concern. But in the case of Elysian Fields, it's more about which players are gone.

Graduation left massive voids at quarterback and receiver.

Logan Hughes, who posted almost 4,500 yards of offense and accounted for 44 touchdowns, was one of the most productive quarterbacks at the 3A level in 2016. Losing Stephen F. Austin signee Dylan Parker, who finished with 1,512 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, is a big blow as well.

While EF is getting its passing game on track, expect to see quite a bit from the running back tandem of Christavian Smith and Nathan Johnson, who combined to rush for almost 1,600 yards and 25 TD's a season ago.

They'll be running behind one of the biggest offensive lines in 3A, anchored by Jade Ashalintubbi and Malik Johnson.

Defense: Work will need to be on defense, where the 'Jackets are replacing seven starters.

Johnson will likely get reps on the defensive line as well, while the linebacking duo of Slone Crisp and Jeb Dickson gives head coach Scott Ford some semblance of continuity in the middle of his defense.

The Elysian Fields offense received most of the headlines in 2016. But the defensive, however, more than held its own, limiting opponents to a little more than 16 points per game.

2017 outlook: At 12-1, Elysian Fields had its best season of the Coach Ford era, and the program's best run since 2012's team made it to the state semifinals.

Key losses on both offense and defense will make a repeat performance more challenging, but there are certainly enough pieces in place for EF to make a run at a second consecutive district championship.

Back-to-back non-district games against Winona and Jefferson should provide a glimpse of what we can expect from EF once district play begins.

Offense: Arp lost six starters from last year's offense that helped carry it to the state semifinals for the first time since 2000, including standout running back and SMU signee Kayce Medlock.

Dale Irwin, who is entering his 15th season as head coach, will need to rely on some new faces if Arp is to make another long playoff run.

Senior running back Demontrae Wade returns after rushing for more than 1,200 yards as a junior, while Blake Hays and Kennard Williams will highlight the offensive line.

Arp will be looking for a new quarterback, and a few new options at receiver. Expect defensive standout DeMarvion Overshown and his younger brother, sophomore Tren Jones, to emerge in the passing game.

Defense: The defense was hit even harder by graduation as only two starters return from last year's unit that held opponents to less than 17 points per game.

Overshown, a Texas commit, is arguably the best defender in all of East Texas, and he'll need a big season as newcomers aim to emerge around him.

He played safety a season ago, but Overshown also has experience playing on the defensive line and at linebacker. His versatility could be vitally important to a young Tigers defense.

2017 outlook: Arp, despite finished second in 9-3A a season ago, turned a lot of heads in the playoffs with back-to-back wins over Crockett and Newton.

The upset win over previously unbeaten Newton in the regional title game made Arp the favorite going into its semifinal against Boling. A disappointing performance on offense ultimately derailed Arp's chances of reaching the state championship game.

There's an expectation that Arp should and will challenge for the district title this season, but some new faces will need to step up by the time league play beings in order for the Tigers to make good on those expectations.

A challenging non-district slate featuring Tatum, Hughes Springs, and Alto should get Arp prepared for the rigors of 9-3A.

Offense: No team in the district returns more offensive starters than Waskom, which brings back nine.

The Wildcats are just about set at every position.

Quarterback Ty Carter returns after a solid debut season under center, while running backs T.K. Hamilton, Chris Stafford, and Da'lyn Hill are primed for big seasons after getting their feet wet as sophomores a year ago.

The offensive line is seasoned as well with the return of Jack Smith, Christian Smith, and Isaac Irving.

Defense: The Tigers' defense had its moments last season, holding teams to respectable scoring average of 28 points per game.

And with only four starters gone from that group, expect an even bigger season for the Troup defense.

Defensive linemen Shane Thomas, Tristan Clark, and Malik Gilliam give the Tigers a distinct size of advantage over most teams.

2017 outlook: It's difficult to know what to expect in the case of Troup. The Tigers do return 14 starters, but it remains to be seen how much of the gap has shrunk between Troup and everyone else in the district.

Troup probably needs to win at least two of its first three district games against Beckville, West Rusk, and Harleton. If not, the Tigers have to deal with Arp, Waskom, and Elysian Fields in consecutive weeks to end the regular season.